The Acanthus Wedding Photos | Lizzie and Joe Sneak Peak!

WOW Lizzie and Joe's wedding ROCKED! I mean like seriously awesome! They got married at the beautiful Acanthus in Lyman, SC just outside of Greenville. Here are just a few of my shots from this past weekend!


Joe looking good before the ceremony!






The EPIC moonlit shot!

I'm just putting the finishing touches on the rest of the photos! CANNOT wait to post them!!

Nikon 60mm Macro Review | Close Up's Redefined

I wasn't planning on buying this lens. Now I'm not sure how I could be without my Nikon 60mm f2.8 macro.

Secretly, I've always been a bit jealous of some other wedding photographer's ring and flower shots. They were oh-so close up and always sharp. Well now that I've found someone willing to depart with their 60mm f2.8 Macro (for a very good price!) I can now take those super close up shots that I've always wanted.




The Nikon 60mm Macro is a pretty lens too!

So how does it work?


Macro lenses specialize in taking picture of close up things. Nikon calls them "Micro" lenses which makes sense (think Micro vs. Macro-Economics). Basically the optics of the lens can move the extra distance required to bend the light in such a way that even very close up objects can be rendered as sharp.




How's the build quality?

To be short, not nearly as good as my Nikon 135mm f2 DC Lens, but granted this lens costs about a third of the price of that lens. I also appreciate the weight savings of not having a solid metal construction when I'm shooting a 10 hour wedding. It feels solid and it's still a step up from Nikon's introductory lenses like the 18-55mm VR.



Nikon 60mm f2.8 AF Macro Lens at 1:1

Is it tough to take these super close up shots?

Yes and No. While the lens will gladly focus on a subject that is only a few inches from the front of the lens, the incredible depth of field can be very difficult to control. I frequently have to use the depth of field preview on my camera (hardly ever have to use it outside of this!) to check and make sure my subject is fully in focus. Speaking of subjects, if your planning on taking pictures of live subjects such as bees, butterflies, or water droplets, you might scare away your subject (or cover your lens in water!). Because rings and flowers don't get too scared when you get up REALLY close, this lens fits me perfect. Nikon makes a great 105mm macro and 200mm macro where you don't have to get quite so close!


Enough with the rambling, how do the images look!?



Ten cents like you've never seen it before!



One of the flowers in my backyard, except seriously close up. This flower was less than half an inch around!



Works awesome on those ring shots too!!


Conclusion time

This lens is pretty awesome. Not only does it allow me to get shots I've never been able to take before, but it does without killing my whole bank account. There is an updated AF-S version of this lens out, but frankly this lens works fantastic AND focuses faster than the AF-S. I highly recommend the Nikon 60mm f2.8 Macro to all you close up photo people!

Great Aunt Stella Center Wedding | Derick and Andrea

Derick and Andrea are some of the coolest people I know. Their wedding at the Great Aunt Stella Center in Charlotte, NC solidified that. I've had the awesome privilege of knowing Derick for a little over a year and I have to say Andrea is a perfect match for him. You guys have all the makings of a happy couple and I wish you the best in the future!

After shooting their awesome engagement session photos (still some of my favorites ever!), I knew it was going to be a fun wedding. I met them early in the day to capture their first sighting, then we headed to the local Marshall Park to get some gorgeous shots with the bridal party. After, we headed to the Great Aunt Stella Center for their beautiful wedding ceremony! The reception was at the Crown Plaza in Downtown Charlotte, NC and was full of fun, dancing, and lots of wedding cake. Here are a few of my favorites from the day!











Derick waiting for their first sighting



Andrea just seconds before she saw derick for the first time!










Looking good guys!
















Andrea is quite the model!




The lovely ladies!




Derick and his crew




Even crossing the street is epic on your wedding day!








Great aunt stella center is gorgeous!




Andrea just minutes before she walks down the isle




Gotta teach those ring bearers!
































First dance




Derick gave his mom a present while his sister sang a song!






















Thanks again for having me!!

Click here to see more photos from this wedding!

Click here to view my complete wedding photography portfolio!

Derick and Andrea Sneak Peak! | Charlotte NC Wedding

Here are a few of my favorites from Derick and Andrea's wedding yesterday in Charlotte, NC! These guys are so much just too much fun to be around! 

Greenville Engagement Photos | Vanida and Rick are Engaged!

Rick was born in Laos. Vanida was born in France. Somehow these two awesome people found each other. I'm glad they did! Rick and Vanida are awesome to spend time with. We shot their engagement photos at the very awesome i-car center just south of Greenville, SC. They were so much fun to work with and I'm excited to shoot their wedding, just a month from now! Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot:

Click here to view my complete greenville engagement photo portfolio